25 of Liverpool’s funniest Scousers, as chosen by you

Comedy legends, newcomers and plenty of Liverpool nans got your vote, but who came out on top?

Liverpool is famed for many things. Footy, amazing architecture, the nightlife and of course our undeniable sense of humour. Able to crack a joke and entertain a crowd in any situation, Scousers are just naturally funny people and Liverpool comedians are some of the world’s best.

Your responses to our social media posts brought about some surprising answers including; an over-generous Santa on the Dock, our city mayor Joe Anderson and former LFC footballer, Michael Owen received a couple of votes each, while loads of votes for family members such as ‘me dad’ proved we’re a city with funny bones.

It’ll come as no surprise to find that the late, great Sir Ken Dodd topped our social media poll. We’ve rounded up 24 more of your suggestions alongside the legend himself to produce our funniest scousers. Who’s your favourite?

Sir Ken Dodd

Sir Ken Dodd, the man, the tickling sticks, the legend. The city lost a true gentleman in 2018 when the man from Knotty Ash who entertained millions for 60 years, sadly died. His legacy, his hours-long shows at the Phil, his infectious laugh, quick wit and ability to tailor a joke to each and every person he met, will live on. They dont make em like Doddy anymore. More on Sir Ken Dodd’s phenomenal career here. 

John Bishop

What an incredible career John Bishop has enjoyed. Currently touring the UK ahead of his new show, John came to comedy later in his career and hasn’t looked back. Mega sell out tours, TV and film success and fundraising to the tune of £4.2 million – not bad for a lad who used to have the Sunday spot on Radio City eh? See what John’s up to here.

Eithne Brown

Huyton-born, Emmerdale and regular Royal Court Theatre actress, Eithne Browne is a Scouse comedy legend. If you’ve never seen Brick Up The Mersey Tunnels and Eithne’s hilarious character – Ann Twacky go off on one about Wirral – you haven’t lived. You’ll have seen Eithne in the likes of Clocking Off, Brookside, Doctors, The Royal, Waterloo Road and loads more on TV. If Eithne is hosting a Merseyside charity event, you’re in for a real treat! See what Eithne is up to here. 

Pete Price

The one, the only Pete Price, Liverpool’s Citizen of Honour and greatest radio phone in host ever! The man, the lizard (apparently) has had an incredible 50 year career in entertainment. The natural ability to have any size audience in absolute uproar laughing, Pete travelled the world as a stand up comic after winning 70’s talent show ‘New Faces’. Now he’s either having a rant with us at The Guide Liverpool or hosting his long running Radio City phone in show – with hysterical results.

Freddie Starr

Another Liverpool comic gone but not forgotten. Freddie Star sadly passed away earlier this year. Another Huyton-born comic genius, Freddie rose to fame in the 70’s on shows such as The Royal Variety Performance where his impressions of Mick Jagger and Hitler in wellies had everyone in absolute stitches. Slapstick humour made Freddie a household name with a string of self-titled shows on prime time telly. He was daft as a brush and bloody funny.

Alexei Sayle

An Emmy-award winning lad from Anfield, Alexei Sayle has entwined laugh-out loud, informed comedy and politics since the early 1980’s. He appeared on loads of cult TV shows such as The Young Ones and The Comic Strip Presents back in 1982, before 6 of his own series for the BBC followed.  Alexei has been on our radios, TV’s and film screens for almost 40 years. Follow Alexei’s Imaginary Sandwich Bar adventures here. 

Billy & Wally

Hold yer plums! We couldn’t chart Liverpool’s funniest scousers and not include the dynamic duo of BBC Radio Merseyside? Billy Butler and Wally Scott produced and recorded Hold Yer Plums on BBC Radio Merseyside for over a decade – with Billy going on to chart 48 years on the airwaves in total. The contestant clips would have you crying tears of laughter.

Mick Miller

The instantly recognisable Mick Miller is another Liverpool comic who has been working the comedy circuit since the 70’s. Hailing from Dingle, you’ll have seen Mick in recent years on the likes of Peter Kaye’s Car Share and ITV’s Last Laugh in Vegas. Do you know the legendary Stanley Mathews signed a 15 year old Mick to Port Vale! Sadly Peter Shilton beat him to the England youth squad and a career in comedy was born! Read more about Mick’s career here. 

Jodie Comer

So we’ve established us Scousers are a funny lot – but this nominee plays a funny character with a sinister twist! Having been thrust into the spotlight as the phenomenal Villanelle in Killing Eve, BAFTA Award Winning actor Jodie Comer is bloody hilarious considering she plays a female assassin! She told US chat show host Seth Myers all about being forced to go watch Everton with her dad when the team was on a winning steak – defo got a good sense of humour! Follow Jodie on Instagram here.

Sean Styles

If there’s one thing we’re learning about Scouse comedy – it’s that we like a good laugh in the mornings! BBC Radio Merseyside DJ and comedian Sean Styles received a nomination from Gill Chaloner on Facebook who said: “Love Sean styles makes me smile every day.” Listen in to hear what Sean and a whole host of unpredictable listeners have to share. More info here. 

Jack Ryan

A young Scouse lad making waves on the comedy and after dinner speaking circuit is Jack Ryan. He’s worked with the Real Housewives of Cheshire and you may have seen him perform live if you’ve been on a cruise recently. Cutting his teeth supporting Frankie Allen, Jack is gaining fans by the day! Follow Jack on Instagram here. 

Crissy Rock

We all know and love Liverpool comic Crissy Rock from Benidorm, I’m A Celeb and the thriving local comedy circuit. Known for being outrageous, Crissy penned an incredible book about her early life. ‘This Heat Within Me Burns’ enjoyed more than a 10 weeks in the Sunday Times best seller list in 2011.

Ricky Tomlinson

There’s a reoccurring theme that connects scouse comedians and politics. Ricky Tomlinson was always going to feature in our social media poll. Brookside, Cracker, The Royle Family – all these shows and more gave former plasterer Ricky a platform to show the outside world what we love most about old school scouse fellas. Grit, loads of swearing, political activism and a big dollop of comedy has secured Ricky a place in our hearts.

Chris Cairns

Easily one of the sharpest, quick witted comics to hail from Liverpool, Laughterhouse Comedy Club MC, Chris Cairns takes on the bravest of hecklers and sends them home to their mams crying. Catch Chris at Laughterhouse here. 

Neil Fitzmaurice

Award winning writer and comedian Neil Fitzmaurice has written and played epic parts in some of the most watched comedy and drama shows of all time. We’re talking Peep Show, Phoenix Nights, Benidorm, That Peter Kay Thing, Eyes Down, The Office, The Bill, Holby City and more. He’s played Rafa Benitez and appeared on stage at the Royal Court and Liverpool Empire countless times. Not bad for a lad who started out on Drivetime on Radio City! A huge supporter of the James Bulger Memorial Trust, Neil is a Scouse gem.

Lindzi Germain

Our very own Mersey Mouth, Lindzi Germain is easily one of the funniest scousers in our amazing city. You’ll know her from the hysterical Royal Court comedies such as Scouse Pacific, Mam I’m Ere and Lost Soul 1&2 – always keeping it real with her portrayal of strong, opinionated, hilarious scouse women. She also starred in Channel 5 series Clink and you can catch our beloved Lindz on stage at The Greenroom doing stand-up and of course right here on The Guide Liverpool.

Les Dennis

Family Fortunes though, what a show! Garston born actor, comedian, presenter, national treasure and all round top Scouse, Les Dennis cut his teeth on the working men’s clubs circuit in the early 70’s before his big break winning the New Faces Talent Show. Prime time beckoned with the Russ Abbott Show – (omg that impression of Mavis off Corrie!) and a glorious 15 year run on Family Fortunes. Extras, Corrie, Celeb Big Brother, Holby, Merseybeat all add to his TV work while on stage he’s been in practically EVERYTHING! Always with a smile and a wise crack – Les is a true scouse funnyman.

Tom O’Connor

Prime time legend, Tom O’Connor has been at the helm of some of the greatest game shows ever to grace our screens. Remeber Name That Tune?! Author of ‘Tom O’Connor’s Liverpool Book of Humour, it’s safe to say this Bootle-born comedian, presenter and former teacher was blessed with the gift of the gab. Now almost 80, Tom built his career on TV while not only starring in shows he was also writing scripts, books and songs. He’s showing no signs of stopping either! Check out Tom’s website for after dinner speaking and more.

Leanne Campbell

Everyone’s favourite brekkie radio queen, Leanne Campbell made the most funny scouser list. Teaming up with Scott Hughes to bring you the days news and not end up in stitches at least 5 times a show is standard for the multi-talented Leanne. Not content with giving us a giggle in the mornings, her podcast, Ladies of Liverpool has made us howl laughing, cry tears of empathy and marvel at the amazing women of this city.

Stan Boardman

The Germans bombed our Chippy’s and the fish got battered!! It’s a joke that’s been passed down through the ages on Merseyside and Stan Boardman had the audiences in uproar with his anti-German jokes – especially when he said ‘Fokker’ live on prime time telly! Another Scouse funny man who made it into the UK top 20 chart with his World Cup Song, Stan is showing no signs of retiring! More info here.

Paul Smith

Paul Smith has taken the Liverpool comedy circuit by storm. The loud, red-head Scouser who draws on his experience of living in ‘Dovey’ has taken audience participation to a whole new level. Entire sets are built on picking out an audience member and drawing out a purely hilarious story or talking point that has us rolling in our seats – creased. Lines such as ‘I’m defo your dah you know, what’s your mums name?’ have made this Liverpool lad an instant star. See Paul’s latest tour dates here. 

Arthur Askey OBE, CBE

Now we’re guilty of throwing the word ‘Legend’ around a bit to liberally at times, but this Liverpool comedian deserves every inch of that title. Born in Dingle in 1900, Arthur Askey served in WW1 before rising to fame in 1938 when TV first became available in our homes. With a whole host of films under his belt, his writing was as popular as his quick wit and hilarious catchphrases ‘I Thaaaank Youuu”. A true comedy legend, Arthur worked right up until he was hospitalised in 1982 and sadly passed away. More on Arthur’s career in the limelight here. 

Adam Rowe

Another young Liverpool comedian and winner of the Edinburgh Fringe Best Joke 2018, is putting the scouse accent on the map. You’ve probably seen him on the Nationwide adverts on telly too. He loves a heckle, he’s dead sweary and he’s got this city and its people down to a tee!

Kev Seed

Radio City DJ Kev Seed amassed a huge following during his time on breakfast. Seedy in the morning was accompanied by legendary characters Biffo and Peggy who had the listeners in absolute stitches with the cheeky banter.

On our Facebook poll fan, Dave Henshaw said: “I’ll always love Kev Seed, made me laugh every morning for years… thank you for doing that mate, you made going to work much more enjoyable.”

Lily Savage & Paul O Grady

Sadly we lost the legend that is Paul O’Grady earlier this year. The phenomenal Lily Savage epitomised the very best scouse humour. Lily’s epic outbursts about our Vera and the state of affairs in and around Merseyside resonated with us all. On the flip side, the award-winning comic, presenter, author, actor and dog lover Paul O’Grady made us laugh and cry with his shows and love of animals. A natural comedian, Paul’s moving yet laugh out loud tribute to the late Cilla Black at her funeral had everyone in stitches. He did his best friend proud.